How to Live a Plastic-Free Life: A Guide to Cutting Out Hidden Plastics for Good

Plastic is everywhere and we mean everywhere. From the packaging in your pantry to the clothes on your back, microplastics have infiltrated our homes, ecosystems, and even our bodies. But it’s never too late to change. Living a plastic-free life is possible, and it starts with awareness, intention, and a few simple switches.

In this guide, we’ll explore where plastic hides, the impact it’s having on our health and planet, and how you can take meaningful steps toward a plastic-free lifestyle, starting with your laundry routine.

You may not see them, but microplastics are hiding in plain sight, in products you use daily. These tiny plastic particles (less than 5mm) either break off from larger plastic items or are added intentionally during manufacturing. And they’re showing up everywhere: in our homes, oceans, air, and even our bodies.

Some of the most overlooked sources of microplastics include:

• Laundry Detergent Sheets: Many “eco” brands still contain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a synthetic plastic film that doesn’t fully degrade. A study from Arizona State University found that 75% of PVA persists in the environment, threatening ecosystems and potentially entering the food chain.

• Bottle Caps: Every twist of a plastic bottle cap can release microplastics, which often break off and enter bottled water. A 2023 study in Environmental Science & Technology confirmed that bottled water contains hundreds of thousands of nanoplastics per liter, many traced back to caps and lids.

• Plastic Straws and Utensils: These don’t just pollute the environment—they degrade over time into tiny fragments that can leach into drinks and food, especially in warm conditions.

• Heatable Food Packets (and Microwavable Plastics): Heating plastic containers, bags, or packets causes them to break down more quickly. 

• Synthetic Clothing: Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fabrics shed thousands of plastic microfibers with every wash cycle. These fibers often slip through wastewater treatment filters and end up in rivers and oceans.

• Teabags and Coffee Pods: Some tea bags and single-use pods are lined with plastic or sealed with PVA, releasing microplastics when steeped in hot water.

• Toiletries and Cosmetics: Face scrubs, toothpaste, and body washes may still contain microbeads (banned in some countries but still present in imported products), as well as ingredients like polyethylene or acrylates that act as film-formers or thickeners.

2. Easy Switches to Start Your Plastic-Free Journey

Transitioning to a plastic-free lifestyle doesn't happen overnight, but small, consistent changes can lead to major impact. Here are some easy switches to make:

• Swap plastic laundry jugs for Proofed! laundry detergent sheets

• Replace plastic toothbrushes with bamboo alternatives

• Use refillable glass containers for pantry staples and cleaning products

• Carry a reusable water bottle and tote bag

• Choose bar soap and shampoo bars over bottled options

• Ditch plastic wrap for beeswax wraps or silicone storage bags

Every switch matters. And if you’re wondering where to start, switching your laundry detergent is one of the highest-impact moves you can make.

3. Environmental Impact: What the Studies Say

Plastic pollution is now considered a global crisis. A 2022 study published in Environmental Science & Technology estimates that over 14 million tons of microplastics exist on the ocean floor. These particles are ingested by marine life, working their way up the food chain and disrupting ecosystems.

Even so-called biodegradable plastics often fail to break down completely in natural environments, especially in oceans where oxygen and heat levels are low.

UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) has declared plastic pollution one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, urging consumers and businesses to eliminate single-use plastics and invest in circular solutions.

4. How Plastic Affects the Human Body

The effects of microplastics on human health are still being studied, but what we know is alarming.

A groundbreaking 2022 study published in Environment International found microplastics in 80% of human blood samples, confirming that plastic is circulating in our bodies. Other studies have detected particles in the lungs, placenta, and feces.

Potential health risks include:

• Hormonal disruption due to plastic additives like BPA and phthalates

• Increased inflammation and oxidative stress

• Long-term effects on fertility and immune function

This makes choosing plastic-free products for your skin and clothing like Proofed! a health decision, not just an environmental one.

5. Organizations Leading the Plastic-Free Movement

Need some inspiration and guidance? These plastic-free organizations are doing incredible work and offer resources to help you go further:

• Plastic Pollution Coalition – A global alliance working to reduce plastic pollution at the source.

• Surfrider Foundation – Protects oceans and beaches, with a strong emphasis on reducing single-use plastic.

• Break Free From Plastic – A global movement with a mission to build a future free from plastic pollution.

• Beyond Plastics – Led by environmental policy experts focused on plastic legislation and education.

Ready to Start?

You don’t have to be perfect to live more plastic-free. You just have to start.

At Proofed!, we’ve created a simple way to reduce plastic pollution right from your laundry room. Our plant-based detergent sheets are hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and made without polyvinyl alcohol—something no other sheet on the market can say.

Make the switch today.
Start small. Think big. Live Proofed.

Related Articles:

• What is Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and Why Is It In Your Detergent?

• The Proofed! Difference: Why We Said No to PVA

• How Microplastics Enter Our Homes—And How to Stop Them